ZIU.TO vs. XCS.TO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ZIU.TO (BMO S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF) and XCS.TO (iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETF) are both Canada Equities funds - ZIU.TO tracks the S&P/TSX 60 Index while XCS.TO tracks the Morningstar Canada Sml GR CAD. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ZIU.TO returned 32.52% vs 63.46% for XCS.TO. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ZIU.TO charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for XCS.TO.

Performance

ZIU.TO vs. XCS.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in BMO S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF (ZIU.TO) and iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETF (XCS.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZIU.TO achieves a 11.50% return, which is significantly lower than XCS.TO's 24.60% return.

ZIU.TO

• 1D: 1.21%
• 1M: 4.71%
• YTD: 11.50%
• 6M: 12.03%
• 1Y: 32.52%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XCS.TO

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: 5.01%
• YTD: 24.60%
• 6M: 21.86%
• 1Y: 63.46%
• 3Y*: 29.60%
• 5Y*: 12.50%
• 10Y*: 9.98%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ZIU.TO vs. XCS.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ZIU.TO BMO S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF	11.50%	28.37%	21.12%	10.25%
XCS.TO iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETF	24.60%	43.37%	18.11%	8.69%

Correlation

The correlation between ZIU.TO and XCS.TO is 0.59, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2023	0.55

The correlation between ZIU.TO and XCS.TO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZIU.TO vs. XCS.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ZIU.TO

ZIU.TO Risk / Return Rank: 86
ZIU.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
ZIU.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
ZIU.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 87
ZIU.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
ZIU.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 89

XCS.TO

XCS.TO Risk / Return Rank: 82
XCS.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
XCS.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
XCS.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 85
XCS.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
XCS.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 79

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ZIU.TO vs. XCS.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF (ZIU.TO) and iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETF (XCS.TO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ZIU.TO	XCS.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.89	2.95	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.92	3.35	+0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.51	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.15	4.37	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.79	14.97	+4.82
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZIU.TO vs. XCS.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZIU.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.89, which is comparable to the XCS.TO Sharpe Ratio of 2.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZIU.TO and XCS.TO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ZIU.TO	XCS.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.89	2.95	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.22	0.24	+1.98

Drawdowns

ZIU.TO vs. XCS.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZIU.TO drawdown since its inception was -12.35%, smaller than the maximum XCS.TO drawdown of -61.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZIU.TO and XCS.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZIU.TO	XCS.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.35%	-61.18%	+48.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.88%	-14.58%	+6.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.54%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-34.63%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-50.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.44%	+0.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.30%	-16.95%	+15.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.65%	4.25%	-2.60%

Volatility

ZIU.TO vs. XCS.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BMO S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF (ZIU.TO) is 2.47%, while iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETF (XCS.TO) has a volatility of 4.59%. This indicates that ZIU.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XCS.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZIU.TO	XCS.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.47%	4.59%	-2.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.01%	17.36%	-8.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.30%	21.62%	-10.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.43%	20.42%	-7.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.43%	20.41%	-7.98%

ZIU.TO vs. XCS.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZIU.TO has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than XCS.TO's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZIU.TO vs. XCS.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZIU.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.07%, more than XCS.TO's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XCS.TO iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETF	1.02%	1.36%	1.73%	2.59%	2.07%	1.51%	1.78%	2.27%	2.12%	1.81%	1.46%	2.34%
ZIU.TO BMO S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF	2.07%	2.28%	2.70%	0.78%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZIU.TO and XCS.TO in my portfolio?

ZIU.TO and XCS.TO have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ZIU.TO or XCS.TO?

On fees, ZIU.TO is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZIU.TO or XCS.TO?

ZIU.TO is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for XCS.TO.

What is the main difference between ZIU.TO and XCS.TO?

ZIU.TO tracks S&P/TSX 60 Index, while XCS.TO tracks Morningstar Canada Sml GR CAD. They also come from different issuers: BMO and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for ZIU.TO and 0.60% for XCS.TO.